TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NIGER DELTA

 

EDITORIAL - TOWARDS THE DEVELOPMENT OF NIGER DELTA

Stories by International media have never been positive for centuries now at Niger Delta. If it is not kidnapping, it is robbery, youth restiveness, destruction and or other social vices.

The cause being that the area is underdeveloped but its resources are used to develop other parts of the country while the residents in Niger Delta live in abject poverty, penury, wretchedness and the likes. Their waters, air, vegetations and wildlife are destroyed due to gas flaring, oil spillage etc.

Upon these, the federal government seems to pay little or no attention; this also seems to be the reason why youths in the area have taken to all kinds of misbehaviour to attract the attention of the federal government.

Though the federal government on her part in different times set up different agencies to tackle the problems of Niger Delta, but they have all failed in their mandates.

Therefore, the establishment of a separate ministry for Niger Delta by the Yar'Adua's administration is a welcome development as it would enable the people of the Niger Delta to manage their problems.

The appointment of Chief Ufot Ekaette, a retired career public/civil servant, the longest serving Secretary of the Government of the federation as the pioneer minister was greeted with hope.

The first stakeholder's meeting held in Uyo between the Honourable minister and the people of Akwa Ibom State has rekindled hope and aspiration as the minister reaffirmed his determination to tackle the problems of Niger Delta frontally.

While supporting the appointment of Chief Ufot Ekaette, the people of Akwa Ibom State are of the opinion that issues of unemployment, human development, youth empowerment, women advancement, infrastructural development, agriculture, education and holistic development should be top on the agenda.

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